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The 1980's have been characterized as a period of selfish [#permalink]
12 Jan 2004, 19:42

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Difficulty:

(N/A)

Question Stats:

100%(01:45) correct
0%(00:00) wrong based on 3 sessions

22. The 1980's have been characterized as a period of selfish individualism that threatens the cohesion of society. But this characterization is true of any time. Throughout history all human actions have been motivated by selfishness. When the deeper implications are considered. even the simplest "unselfish" acts prove to be instances of selfish concern for the human species.

Which one of the following is a flaw in the argument?

(A) The claim that selfishness has been present throughout history is not actually relevant to the argument.

(B) No statistical evidence is provided to show that humans act selfishly more often than act unselfishly.

(C) The argument assumes that selfishness is unique to the present age.

(D) The argument mentions only humans and does not consider the behavior of other species.

I believe A also. If the author claims that even the most unselfish acts prove to be instances of selfish concern for the human species, then mentioning that it was prevalent throughout history is not relevant to prove that the 1980's was such a selfish period. Is this an LSAT question? _________________

The author starts by mentionening "selfish individualism" which means (I think) an action that are performed to meet his/her own objectives/motives.

In the last sentence the author states unselfish acts can have selfish concern for human species. Here the term "selfish" is used as an action performed to meet other's objectives/motives and not his/her own motives/objectives.

To be honest, I went with my gut feeling here. So I am not sure how to refute (A).